NRL Round 16 Preview - Warriors v Sharks @ Mount Smart Stadium

New Zealand Warriors v Cronulla Sharks @ Mount Smart Stadium
 
Preview - The Warriors host the Sharks in a battle of two sides with Top 4 ambitions at Mount Smart Stadium on Friday night. The Warriors are already closing in on securing their first finals berth in 7 years, with a 10-4 record, having beaten the Cowboys 23-16 in Townville in their most recent outing to sit in 4th place on the table. The Sharks have been slow starters the past couple of weeks and, despite coming from behind to beat the Tigers, they were unable to overhaul the Broncos, going down 22-16 at Shark Park to drop to 7th place on the table. 
 
New Zealand Warriors’ Scouting Report - Coach Stephen Kearney has placed Peta Hiku, Issac Luke and Ken Maumalo on the reserves list coming back from Denver, and a possibility of a call-up if needed. David Fusitu'a is on the wing for Maumalo, Anthony Gelling starts at centre for Hiku and Karl Lawton is named to start at hooker. Simon Mannering starts at lock for the suspended Adam Blair.
 
Cronulla Sharks’ Scouting Report - Big mid-season recruit Aaron Woods is named to make his Sharks’ debut on the bench, replacing Jack Williams. Kurt Capewell and Scott Sorensen are in as the new second row, with both Luke Lewis and Wade Graham out injured.
 
Verdict - Warriors by 1-6 in a physical and low scoring game

I can't tip against the Warriors again, given how good they are going this year, especially at home. The Sharks are the sort of side capable of putting them off their game, however I think the Warriors’ attack has been functionally better than Cronulla this year. Expecting this game to be a very physical and loose game throughout, with the Warriors edging it, given their home ground advantage and extra pace in key positions.